“Reflecting
strong job gains and tax cuts, today’s report shows consumer spending has been
expanding across the board,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “However,
Americans are spending an increasingly large portion of their paychecks on
rising fuel costs lately – money they could be spending shopping in malls,
eating in restaurants or remodeling their homes, which can help drive growth in
our economy, keep America competitive and create jobs. That's why this
administration continues to support reducing our dependence on foreign oil by
investing in a 21st century clean energy economy.”